Sex offender failed to notify change of address

A 35-year-old sex offender, who has been living in the Ennis area, has appeared before the district court, having failed to comply with a requirement for him to notify a change of address with the gardaí.

The defendant, who is currently of no fixed abode, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday charged under the Sex Offenders Act 2001 with failing to notify a change of address between December 4, 2014 and December 14, 2014.

Detective Garda John Casey outlined that the defendant was convicted in the Central Criminal Court on April 25, 2005 and was placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

Following his release from his sentence on charges of sexual assault and rape of a male person, the defendant was required, under the Sex Offenders Act 2001, to notify gardaí of his home address.

Detective Casey said the defendant had spent three nights sleeping rough in Ennis and had also spent a number of nights at the acute unit in Ennis but had not informed gardaí he had changed address.

He said he met with the defendant once he left the acute unit, when the defendant gave him an undertaking he would register an address, be it temporary or permanent.

“He failed to do so and on Sunday, he was arrested for failing to notify,” Detective Casey outlined.

In total, he said, the defendant had been absent 10 days from the address he was registered at in Ennis.

The court heard there were two suspended sentences hanging over the accused in other matters and the court would have to consider activating these sentences in light of a conviction on the failing to notify charge.

The case was adjourned to this Friday’s sitting of the district court for this to take place.